A Sémillon from the country’s most southern wine region has claimed the top prize at the 21st annual SA Terroir Wine Awards, with producers from five different terrains sharing the six major trophies.

Ghost Corner Wines from the Elim Ward at Cape Agulhas won the 2026 SA Terroir Trophy for Top Wine with their Ghost Corner Sémillon 2024. This marks the second consecutive year the producer has claimed the overall prize, having won in 2025 with their Sauvignon Blanc. Both wines were made by Cederberg Cellars, located 500 kilometres away from the southernmost vineyards.

The winners were announced at a function at Lanzerac Hotel and Spa on Wednesday, 12 August, where 38 national winners from 16 wineland terrains were revealed.

Arbeidsgenot bags two trophies

Arbeidsgenot Cellar from Wolseley had a standout performance, securing two trophies. The producer won the SA Terroir Trophy for Top Producer, whilst their 2025 Arbeidsgenot Tannie Esther Muscat D’Alexandrie Straw Wine claimed the trophy for Top Single Vineyard Wine.

Bon Courage Estate from Robertson maintained their strong record at the competition, winning the trophy for Top Estate. This is the fifth time the estate has claimed this honour, having previously won in 2025, 2019, 2015 and 2013.

Old vines recognised

The trophy for Top Heritage Wine (Old Vine) went to Stettyn Cellar from Villiersdorp for their Stettyn Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025, produced from a vineyard established in 1984. The Heritage Wines category recognises vineyards aged 35 years and older.

Amongst the national winners, 17 estate wines and 10 single vineyard wines were represented. Arbeidsgenot led the field with four national winners, whilst eight participants achieved two national winners each, including Benguela Cove, Bergsig Estate, Bon Courage Estate, Cederberg Cellars, Lourensford Cellar, Springfontein, Villion Wines and Vrede en Lust.

New names make their mark

First-time national winners included Fryer’s Cove Hollebaksstrandfontein Sauvignon Blanc (wooded) 2025, Groot Phesantekraal Pinotage 2024 and Manley Viognier 2026.

The competition is open only to wines certified by the Wine and Spirit Board as wine of origin from a specific ward, district wines, estate-produced wines and single vineyard wines. Single cultivar wines form an important part of the competition, along with lower volume wines from single vineyards.

The judging panel comprised five Cape Wine Masters: Jeff Grier (chairperson), Conrad Louw, Lieza van den Heever, Anton Swarts and Janine van Zyl.

A discussion with the winemaker of the top wine and highlights from the awards will be broadcast on Saturday, 22 August on the television programme OntbytSAKE on Kyknet channels 144 and 145.

The SA Terroir Wine Awards are presented in collaboration with financial partners SA Litho and WinField United SA, with OntbytSAKE as media partner. Full results are available at www.terroirwineawards.co.za.

The awards are presented by the SA National Wine Show Association, which also runs the Veritas Awards and SA Young Wine Show.

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